To say that I was inspired by Jerry On Jerry: the Unpublished Jerry Garcia Interviews is something of an understatement. Sure, there seem to be a surplus of Grateful Dead related books hovering around the 50th anniversary, but this is the one that's pure, unadulterated, cover-to-cover Jerry.
And really, the Grateful Dead portions of this book were among the relatively uninteresting parts. This volume soars when it reads like a philosophy book -- Jerry on art, culture, politics, the things that inspired him to make his music.
So here's my review in eight tweets.
Who is the modern musician who can give even one interview as insightful as any that Garcia gives in this book? [1/8]
— The Barn Presents (@thebarnpresents) February 4, 2016
Nowadays musicians seem so cautious, pre-programmed, inoffensive, self-promoting. Garcia’s conversations are anything but. [2/8] — The Barn Presents (@thebarnpresents) February 4, 2016
Book is packed with legit intellectual sparring that is at it best when it shatters conventional thinking or reveals personal details. [3/8]
— The Barn Presents (@thebarnpresents) February 4, 2016
Jerry seems to hover above all the stupid little shit that distracts us and dive directly into the core of a topic. [4/8] — The Barn Presents (@thebarnpresents) February 4, 2016
Then there’s the music: when Jerry describes the thoughts that he goes through when playing, it’s almost as good as hearing his solo. [5/8]
— The Barn Presents (@thebarnpresents) February 4, 2016
Like his guitar, his words are lucid, connected – stumbling on epiphany. Like his voice — vulnerable, warm, accepting. [6/8] — The Barn Presents (@thebarnpresents) February 4, 2016
Most mind-blowing? These are outtakes that sat in a drawer for 20 years just gathering dust until this fine package was assembled. [7/8]
— The Barn Presents (@thebarnpresents) February 4, 2016
The book is a little scattershot and covers some weird territory. But who cares when even the leftovers taste like a five star meal? [8/8] — The Barn Presents (@thebarnpresents) February 4, 2016
It should be noted that I did listen to the audiobook edition of Jerry On Jerry. Let me make clear, this edition features the actual audio from the interviews in the print edition. That's right, you hear every considered nuance, laugh and smirk from Jerry himself. What a joy he must have been to interview!
For a taste, check out this recently surfaced interview with Garcia by Studs Terkel for his radio program. Like the book, Jerry covers topics both mundane (playing in Egypt) and quite surprising (Bruce Springsteen). Worth a listen...
